Ohio sits atop U.S. in library usage, federal funding lawsuits resolve in favor of libraries; Ohio Capital Journal, April 13, 2026

 SUSAN TEBBEN, Ohio Capital Journal; Ohio sits atop U.S. in library usage, federal funding lawsuits resolve in favor of libraries

"The State Library of Ohio is moving in a positive direction, as court battles over funding for U.S. libraries end, and the state gets recognized as the top state in library circulation.

The State Library of Ohio is a state agency that houses and preserves state founding documents and historical artifacts, and also distributes federal funding for things like statewide digital materials and other resources.

“When our children fall in love with a great book, federal funds helped a library do that; when historians explain our shared state history, a federally-funded library project helped with that, too,” State Librarian Mandy Knapp told the Capital Journal.

The funding the library receives comes through the Library Services and Technology Act, distributed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. According to institute statistics released this week by data analysis organization USA Facts, Ohio had the highest library circulation per person in both physical and electronic materials in 2023. It was also the third highest state in library visits per person, and most library cards per person, according to the data.

The institute is a federal entity that was up for elimination since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, as part of an early effort by the non-governmental Department of Government Efficiency to slash federal spending."

Ohio’s libraries could face hard choices next year after 2025 budget cuts; Cleveland.com, December 27, 2025

 Mary Frances McGowan, cleveland.com; Ohio’s libraries could face hard choices next year after 2025 budget cuts

"“They’re going to continue to do that to the best of their ability, but it is going to make providing these services more difficult, especially in a time when the demand for services is growing, and the expectation of local citizens is growing and expanding.”

The state budget Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law in June removed the longstanding funding formula that gave libraries a percentage of the state’s revenue fund, replacing it with discretionary line-item appropriations.

While funding was never inherently guaranteed -- library advocates had to testify in Columbus every two years to explain how they were using taxpayer funds -- but as a percentage of the state revenue, it was a solid funding source. 

The comparative instability of the new formula is worrying for libraries. Future legislatures or gubernatorial administrations could reduce funding without warning — a big shift for institutions that have long relied on stability."

1.5M people in Ohio rely on SNAP: Map shows which towns will be hardest hit by shutdown; WLWT5, October 31, 2025

 Emily Sanderson, WLWT5;  1.5M people in Ohio rely on SNAP: Map shows which towns will be hardest hit by shutdown

"More than 1 million Ohio residents will lose federal food support on Saturday when SNAP benefits expire because of the government shutdown.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps, helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries.

Cincinnati families are facing uncertainty as the SNAP food assistance program has been suspended due to the government shutdown, affecting nearly 100,000 residents in Hamilton County who rely on federal food benefits...

Governor DeWine has indicated that there is no mechanism for Ohio to directly fund SNAP payments, regardless of the source of the money."

DeWine vetoes library material restriction in Ohio budget; WFMJ, July 1, 2025

  

WFMJ; DeWine vetoes library material restriction in Ohio budget

"Ohio Governor Mike DeWine on Monday vetoed a controversial provision in the state's new budget that would have imposed restrictions on public libraries regarding the placement of materials related to sexual orientation or gender identity.

The veto came as DeWine signed the state budget bill. In his statement, the Republican governor expressed concerns about what he described as the "vague restrictions" proposed for libraries.

"No child should have access to inappropriate materials or to materials that their parents or guardians deem inappropriate," DeWine said. "In Ohio, we have strong laws on obscenity and material harmful to juveniles, and the DeWine-Tressel Administration expects those laws to be enforced. Therefore, a veto of this item is in the public interest."

The provision, which had drawn strong opposition from library systems across the state, including the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, would have required libraries to segregate such materials so they were not visible to patrons under 18.

Library advocates, including the Ohio Library Council (OLC), argued that the language was "overly vague and broad" and "ultimately unworkable." Aimee Fifarek, CEO and director of the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, previously warned that complying with the mandate could force libraries to "close down" to review and re-code materials, potentially leading to "unconstitutional censorship."

Artificial Intelligence Resources Compiled for Legal Community; Court News Ohio, May 13, 2025

 Staff Report , Court News Ohio; Artificial Intelligence Resources Compiled for Legal Community

"Artificial intelligence and generative artificial intelligence (AI, collectively) are rapidly evolving technologies that impact many, if not most, facets of human life. AI’s potential impact on judicial systems is no exception – from how judges and magistrates write opinions, to the briefs and motions prepared by attorneys, to the evidenceprovided by plaintiffs and defendants.

To assist the legal community, an array of resources is now available on the Supreme Court of Ohio website about AI and its use in the courts and legal profession.

The new “Artificial Intelligence Resource Library” offers:

• AI ethics guidelines for judicial officers and attorneys.
• AI practices in state courts.
• Legal association reports and statements.
• Journal and scholarly articles.
• Useful courses on the topic.

The library content is organized for three groups: courts; attorneys; and the public (particularly nonlawyers who represent themselves in court)."

From ethics to outsmarting Chat GPT, state unveils resource for AI in Ohio education; Cleveland.com, February 15, 2024

Laura Hancock, cleveland.com ; From ethics to outsmarting Chat GPT, state unveils resource for AI in Ohio education

"The state released a guide Thursday to help schools and parents navigate generative artificial intelligence in an ethical manner.

“When you use the term AI, I know in some people’s minds, it can sound scary,” said Lt. Jon Husted, whose InnovateOhio office worked with private sector organizations to develop the guide...

Every technology that’s come into society has been like that.”...

But AI is the wave of the future, and Husted said it’s important that students are exposed to it.

The AI toolkit is not mandatory but can be used as a resource for educators and families.

It doesn’t include many prescriptive actions for how to begin teaching and using AI. Rather, it contains sections for parents, teachers and school districts where they can find dozens of sample lessons and discussions about ethics, how to develop policies to keep students safe, and other topics.

For instance, teachers can find a template letter that they can send to school district officials to communicate how they’re using AI...

“Before you use AI in the classroom you will need a plan for a student with privacy, data security, ethics and many other things,” Husted said. “More is needed than just a fun tool in the classroom.”"

Toledo Public Library to help Public Housing applicants; 13 Action News WTVG, October 13, 2023

 Lily Lowndes, 13 Action News WTVG; Toledo Public Library to help Public Housing applicants

"Allsion Fiscus, the Adult Services coordinator at TLCPL said the library has partnered with the Housing Authority in the past, but in a smaller capacity.

“Especially during COVID we realized that it was really important for the various agencies in the Toledo Lucas County Area to work together,” Fiscus said.

She said partnerships like this help spread resources to the community.

“In this particular instance, we can’t provide the housing, but we can provide the assistance to sign up for the housing,” Fiscus said. “We have our public access computers, we have our librarians, we have people who are trained to help people with technology."